Sharanu Sharanarthi!
Hearty congratulations to the enthusiastic Sharanas of Texas chapter for organizing the last annual VSNA
convention at Dallas with impressive pomp and gaiety! The words of appreciation and admiration continue
to pour in, reminiscing the fervor with which the convention was hosted and the grandness of it. The spirit
of dasoha, the sense of solidarity and the bonding over Basava tatvas was a treat of a festival to all
participants.
All VSNA events, from local celebrations to larger conventions, attest and reflect our sense of belongingness
and uphold the true essence of dasoha. The theme adopted by the Texas chapter for hosting the annual
VSNA convention - ‘Iva Nammava’ was apt and warmly inviting to all Sharanas of North America. The
guiding light of Basava tatvas will only get brighter with each passing event and let us keep the spiritual
momentum rising.
Team Bandhavya apologizes for the late issue of the newsletter this season. The support and
encouragement provided by one and all at the convention has motivated us immensely to work hard towards
making it a more enjoyable and meaningful read.
ಕೆರೆ ಹಳ್ಳ ಭಾವಿಗಳ್ು ಮೈದೆಗೆದೆಡೆ
ಗುಳ್ೆಳ ಗೆೊರಜೆ ಚಿಪುುಗಳ್ ಕಾಣ್ಬಹುದ್ು
ವಾರುಧಿ ಮೈದೆಗೆದೆಡೆ ರತ್ನ ಮುತ್ುುಗಳ್ ಕಾಣ್ಬಹುದ್ು
ಕೊಡಲಸಂಗನ ಶರಣ್ರು ಮನದೆರೆದ್ು ಮಾತ್ನಾಡಿದ್ಡೆ
ಲಂಗವ ಕಾಣ್ಬಹುದ್ು
Through Bandhavya we hope to spark an interest in academic spiritual conscience of all readers. We are
grateful to the newsletter contributors and local chapter presidents who are diligently sending their updates
and inspiring us all to keep connected.
Please continue the good efforts for Bandhavya by sending us your contributions, feedback,
recommendations or just comments to the team of Bandhavya at newsletter@vsna.org.
Thank you and best regards,
Supriya Antin Kaddargi

4

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message

Dear VSNA Members,
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Texas-North chapter team for a very successful
convention hosted by them for the first time. Convention chair Mr. Basavaraj Patil and his team did an excellent
job. Every aspect of the convention was well planned, well-coordinated and very well executed. The team lived
up to their theme 'Eva Nammava' wherein every guest that attended the convention had all good things to say
about everything and everybody in the convention.
Now is the time to plan for 2015 convention. We are working on few potential chapters to host the 2015
convention, and will be announced soon. In spite of the fact that hosting a convention is lot of hard work for the
hosting team, I am sure Texas chapter will agree with me that it is a great experience which could be used to
face our professional and personal challenges.
Once again, hearty congratulations to the Baandhavya editorial team for one more edition of the newsletter. I
am really impressed and delighted by the hard work and perseverance of the team to publish the newsletter
every quarter. Their effort was very well appreciated and conveyed to me by many members who attended the
convention in Dallas. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all support the team and help them to publish educative, interesting and informative
newsletter every quarter.
Thank you,
Vijay Kumar
President - VSNA

5

Basavanna - An Unparalleled Personality to Absorb

‘Kudalasangayya mecchuvane?’
In reverence and submission to Kudalasangamadeva, Basavanna questioned and answered to leave
behind a legacy of pearls of infinite wisdom on aachara and vichaara in his vachanas.
The tenets of Lingayath philosophy Basavanna put forth have always been commonly discussed. The ideals
to be followed, the surrounding ethics which enrich these ideals and ultimately achieving oneness with the
Supreme are not new to Sharanas since Basavanna’s era but somewhere in the adoption of His message,
there is an important point most of us tend to look through - Basavanna was not an ascetic; living a common
man’s familial and professional life, he reformed the society and opened our eyes to rational and progressive
thoughts with focus on experiencing God. Although He belonged to a conservative era, he was not only
able to identify the follies in it but also ameliorate humanity with an enlightened approach. What democracy
has tried to institutionalize today and much more was envisioned by Basavanna in the 12th century through
comprehensive reforms that touched different aspects of life - spiritual, social, economic and religious. His
work of vachanas remains with us and continues to lead the light that he first kindled back in the days.
Pursuing divinity, equality amongst all human beings, compassion towards all creations of God, community
living, personality development, etc. are some outstanding ideologies formulated and implemented by
Basavanna.
What we all struggle with - elaborate and complex practices are exactly what Basavanna simplified and
proposed straightforward and virtuous means to lead life that not only enhance the self but also the society.
While some of Basavanna’s principles have an immediate positive bearing on the society and some are to
be progressively experienced to see the results, all are pertinent to today’s times. No doubt, the beauty of
them all put together yields to a holistic life.
The reflection of Basavanna as a common man who radically uplifted the society triggers an introspection
in us that, bearing similar common responsibilities, it is at the least, feasible for us to integrate the principles
of Basavanna into our day-to-day activities even though revolutionizing the society like He did may be
difficult to achieve today. ‘Kudalasangayya mecchuvane?’ is that very introspection which Basavanna
lingered upon to show us the path to render our living more meaningful.

6

Change starts within and appropriately so, while we all strive to find solutions to many challenges that
hamper our progress, connecting with Basavannaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principles through self-introspection will help align
ourselves on Basava patha - the ideal path and make life more meaningful and worthwhile.
Basavannaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aikya Mantapa at Kudalasangama - the sacred place where Basavanna merged with the
Supreme; a shrine to Sharanas reminding us of the exemplary personality we can all proudly embody.

About the author: Smt. Supriya Antin Kaddargi is banking professional and an active VSNA member from Chicago
chapter. She has authored the book 'Spiritual Transcendence', a biography of Sri. Jadeya Shantalingeshwara
Swamiji.

7

The Creation
Linga Raju, M.D
Plainview, NY

The concept of Creation is important because the Vīraśaiva Philosophy for the attainment of Ultimate Reality
(Śūnya Saṁpᾱdane) is the reverse process of creation and evolution of the worldly life. The practice of Ṣaṭsthala
technique of Liṅgayōga takes the individual back to the original source, in the reverse order in which the individual
came into existence.
Vīraśaivas and some of the various Hindu Philosophical Schools consider the creation to be beginning-less and
endless with an infinite series of successive creations and dissolutions. The world/universe becomes manifest
when God projects the world out of Self. The world, after manifestation, is still inside God, and it undergoes a
process of evolution. The evolved world is allowed to exist for a certain length of time, lasting billions of years,
until it is withdrawn. The cycle of projection-evolution-existence-withdrawal of the world goes on again and again
endlessly.
All Vīraśaiva philosophers hold the view that the world evolved out of nothing. In the beginning there was
nothing, not even Śūnya (Void) or Niśśūnya (Primal Void). Then Śaraṇa arose. This is the fundamental
theory of the Vīraśaivas. The Vīraśaiva theory continues ‘In the beginning the formless undivided Liṅga (Niṣkala
Liṅga), inclusive of the entire Void, which is existence, knowledge, bliss, eternity and perfection, in order not to
remain as Void, by an impulse of spontaneous play and sport (līlā), putting forth the glow of Consciousness,
creates within Self, an infinity of macrocosms and myriad of microcosms, and attaches to them the twenty-five
categories (tattvas). The individual souls, as a result of attachment of these categories, forget their true nature,
and in asserting their body, become subject to caste and sect and stages of life (varṇᾱṡramadharma); they
became subject to pleasure and pain, and become captive to desire and death. They were subjected to bondage
and limitation of freedom from saṁsᾱra, the worldly life cycle of births and deaths. But some of them receiving
the touch of the Spirit (grace of ParaŚivaLiṅga) in the form of Guru, Liṅga and Jaṅgama, learnt to despise the
corporeal consciousness and achieve freedom from the worldly life of births and deaths. The same Spirit
(NiṣkalaParaŚivaLiṅga) bestowing grace upon them, made them one with itself (modified; pages 52 and 53,
volume I of reference 1). The twenty five categories referred to here are the same Sāṅkhya tattvas (page 363,
volume I of reference 1). Tattva means ‘that in itself’, meaning quality of being that or inherent principle. The
Vīraśaivas consider these tattvas to be impure.
The Vīraśaiva concepts of the creator and the creation existed early on during the Vēdic period as exemplified
by what is in Ṛgvēda itself.
Sūktas 81 and 82 of maṇḍala X of Ṛgvēda are entitled ‘Viśvakarman’ which means ‘maker of the universe or
maker of all. It is indeed remarkable to note that part of the Ṛgvēdic mantra X.81.3 in this Viśvakarma sūkta is
used word for word in one of Basavaṇṇa’s vaĉanas. The mantra in Sanskrit is ‘Viśvataśĉakṣu viśvatōmukhō
viśvatōbāhuruta viśvataspāt; Saṁ bāhubhyāṁ dhamati saṁ pavatrairdhyāvābhūmī janayandēva ēkaḥ’. This
verse is translated as ‘Having eyes everywhere, having a face everywhere, having arms everywhere, and having
feet everywhere, it traverses heaven with arms, earth with swift-moving feet, and exists a God without companion
generating heaven and earth’ (2, 3). The corresponding Kannaḍa vaĉana of Basavaṇṇa is ‘ettetta nōḍidaḍatta
nīnē dēvā; sakala vistārada rūhu nīnē dēvā; viśvataśĉakṣu nīnē dēvā; viśvatōmukha nīnē dēvā; viśvatōbāhu
nīnē dēvā; viśvataspāda nīnē dēva Kūḍalasaṅgamadēvā’. The vaĉana starts with ‘wherever we look you (God)
are there’. And the words taken verbatim have the same meaning in Sanskrit and Kannaḍa: Having eyes
everywhere, having face everywhere, having arms everywhere, and having feet everywhere.
8

The Nāsadīya sūkta X.129 of Ṛgvēda is said to be the most important sūkta among the sūktas dealing with the
subject of creation. Certain fundamental aspects of creation given in the seven mantras of this sūkta are
completely accepted by the Vīraśaivas. This sūkta is translated as follows (2, 3).
In the beginning there was not the non-existent, nor the existent; there was no realm of air, or the sky
beyond it. What covered in and where? What gave shelter? Was water there, the unfathomed depth of water?
Death was not then, nor was immortality; no sign was there of the day’s and night’s divider. ‘That One’ thing,
breathless, breathed by its own nature (power); apart from it there was nothing whatsoever.
Darkness was there, at first concealed in darkness; all this was in-discriminated chaos. All that existed then was
Void; by the great power of tapas (austerity) was born ‘That One’ (Śaraṇa).
Thereafter rose Desire, the primal seed; sages having meditated in their hearts, discovered the existent’s kinship
in the non-existent.
Across was their line extended; what was above it and what was below it? There were begetters, there were
mighty forces, free action here and energy up yonder (creation of the universe was instantaneous).
Who really knows and who can here declare it? Whence was this creation and whence was it born? Dēvas
(Gods) were subsequent to the creation, so who knows when it arose.
The One who first arose, whether formed it all, or did not form it, no one knows; whose eye controls this in the
highest of the heaven verily knows it, or perhaps knows not.

About the author: Dr. Linga Raju, M.D. is VSNA life member, native of Davaṇagere, India. Dr. Raju is a
prominent Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Diseases physician. He has written spiritual publications - “A
Journey through Hindu and Vīraśaiva Concepts’, and ‘SIDDHĀNTA ŚIKHĀMAṆ; The one hundred one sthala
doctrine A concise composition’.

9

Relevance of Kayakave Kailasa in Modern Society
Prateek Paul
Maryland Chapter
[2013 VSNA Convention Essay Competition winner]
Many phrases from Basavanna’s vachanas are said to hold applicable even today, but none more so
than the phrase “Kayakave Kailasa.” Kayakave Kailasa means that the only way in which you can reach your
goals is by working hard. This phrase has been so everlasting because everyone’s ultimate goals or “kailasa”
may be different: for a business man it may be to make profits, for a scientist it may be to win a Nobel prize, for
a politician it may be to get re-elected, for a lawyer it may mean to open up a successful firm and for an ordinary
man it may mean to provide a comfortable life for himself and his family. There are numerous examples of
successful individuals who have worked hard in order to reach a goal in recent times and I have also experienced
this principle in play in my own life.
A prime example of a successful individual looking to seek “kailasa” through hard work is Bill Gates. We
all know him as one of the richest men in the world and as the founder of Microsoft. However, while he is already
an accomplished man, his “kailasa” is not monetary but is to provide valuable humanitarian resources. He has
already donated an estimated 24 million dollars to his “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” whose goal is to
enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, but he continues to work tirelessly to raise more money. Bill
Gates exemplifies that highly successful individuals continue to work hard in order to reach their ultimate
“kailasa.”
The “kailasa” of many members of the Veerashaiva Samaja of North America is to instill valuable
Veerashaiva values into youth. Swamijis from many Mathas in Karnataka come to spread Veerashaivism among
fellow Americans. At our chapter level, the leaders organize lingu puja and lead discussions at every meeting.
All of the tireless work or “kayaka” that these leaders put into organizing such activities is by no means easy for
them, but in order for them to reach their goal of informing the youth of Veerashaiva values, this work is required.
They have been largely successful in reaching their goal, as several youth including myself now participate in
these events and can do lingu puja on our own.
Another example of “kayakave kailasa” at work in my local community that relates to the spread of ideas
is the opening of JSS Spiritual Mission in Gaithersburg, MD. There are many adult leaders at this mission that
organize Kannada and yoga classes in order to instill strong Veerashaiva and healthy values in youth. His
Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, like many other swamijis visits us in Maryland to
speak with children to inspire them to continue to learn about Basavanna’s philosophies. Swamiji and other
adult volunteers at JSS Spirtual Mission in Gaithersburg reach their “kailasa” by working hard on organizing
activities with the purpose of assisting the youth.
In my daily life, “Kayakave Kailasa” is also always in play. For example, I have recently founded the
Strength for Soldiers club at my school. The purpose of the club is to raise money for and assist veterans. I
have put an immense amount of work in planning and organizing a fundraiser through which we raised $200.
However, I have not reached yet my “kailasa.” Next year, along with raising funds, I hope to give the injured
veterans at Walter Reed Hospital small gifts packages to bring smiles on their faces. Basavanna’s saying has
taught me that the only way in which I can reach this goal is by performing “kayaka.”

10

The phrase Kayakave Kailasa is pertinent to world and national leaders, non-profit organizations, and
also individual members of society. This wide-branching influence and applicability of the saying allows for it to
be alive, from Basavanna to our modern day internet era.

About the author: Prateek Paul is a VSNA youth member of Maryland Chapter. Prateek also works in numerous
non-profit organizations and won many awards in school as well as non-profit organizations..

Central VSNA Updates
37th VSNA Annual Convention - Feedback
More highlights will be given in the 3rd quarter. Meanwhile here are few comments and feedback from the
guests and attendees:
Guest - Tumkur Hiremath Swamiji comments:
“All the VSNA Office Bearers and Members of the Texas Chapter, Shiva smaraNeyoMdige Holy Blessings.
You people did a wonderful and great job. The Convention was awesome, flawless and perfect. In each and every
event and every moment it was worth. Your efforts and pains-taking labor met with success. Each and every
member of the Texas VSNA Chapter has given his utmost best. Witnessing the Convention whole heartedly,
instead of saying `SATYAMEVA JAYATE', we would like to say, SHRAMA EVE JAYATE''!!!
Great Job, Well done.
In the meanwhile, we appreciate, the timely guidance and encouragement and help of Central VSNA. Convey
our good wishes and Holy Blessings to all our Texas VSNA Chapter members.”
Attendee - Vijay Kotrappa, California comments:
“Truly memorable convention. Food and programs were excellent but more importantly we connected with so
many newly found relatives and made a lot of new friends. Thanks to the Dallas team for flawless (from our
perspective) execution. Look forward to staying in touch with all of you. Please reach out to us if you visit Los
Angeles”
Attendee – Channu Kambalyal, Chicago comments:
“Thank you for hosting an excellent Annual VSNA Convention on behalf of 1200+ VSNA/Basava followers in North
America. Your hard work and attention to perfection exceeded any of our expectations. Even more surprising is
your team work. We could see smiles in every volunteer of your team which spread to all attendees and now
showing up in replies to your simple thank you note.
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Location - Your choice of location was perfect. The hot weather of Dallas was a non-issue and we realized it
only when we stepped out to depart to the airport.
Marketing - From day-one, you started off with well executed marketing via periodical newsletters, phone
calls, radio programs, personal visits to surrounding localities, and so on. That brought home 500+
attendees.
Programs - Your choice of guests and artists was excellent. All the programs – the spiritual discussions,
lingadharana, yoga, health forum, business forum, women's forum, speeches by guests and more
importantly speeches by our own VSNA youth were very well planned and delivered.
Banners – were designed and displayed meticulously.
Entertainment - We all had lots of laughs seeing the marathon comedy skits. Hat’s off to the directors and
their team.
Food - Choice of food was great, and just perfect.

Thank you team for being a role model for all of us to follow in whatever we plan to do in achieving the mission
of VSNA.”
Attendee - Shylendra Kumar, Massachusetts comments:
“It was really a wonderful and memorable event! You all did a great job, very well organized and
executed. Great programs and delicious food. Please convey my thank you to all volunteers who made this event
memorable.”

15

Attendee - Kumar Rajasekhara, Maryland comments:
“A hearty Congratulations and "Job Well Done" to the Dallas chapter members and all the volunteers who helped
to put this convention together.
We are the ones that should thank you for organizing such a smooth convention flow, providing fulfilling religious
and cultural content, choosing a great venue, arranging wonderful entertainment, offering a variety of parallel
sessions, an opportunity to meet both old and new friends, and of course, for feeding us so well.
We are sure there were tense and nervous moments throughout the convention for you, but you all came through
with flying colors. What is extremely important is that whatever obstacles, delays and changes that you faced,
you made ongoing adjustments and managed them with ease, grace and composure.”
Attendee - Sid Shettar, California comments:
“You all really lived up to your planned theme of Iva Nammava!
The highlight of this convention to me was the family-friendly environment you all folks created! All of your
committee members and volunteers were pleasing and receptive. I personally made lot of friends.
Each and every program was of good quality. Food was tasty and homely. Forums like Business forum were very
informative and motivating.
You all showed your broadmindedness by incorporating all kind of programs on and off the stage including
accommodating the AKKA promotion. Your buddy system initiative was good and helpful. You guys showed that,
you are capable of re-hosting another convention like this!”
Attendee – Vijay Aiholli, Toronto comments:
“Thank you Team Dallas!!! We enjoyed the Convention in total. Met old friends and made new ones. Few points:


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

Buddy system is good, and can be carried forward to upcoming Conventions.
The food was good and enjoyed the typical 'holige' 'ranjaka/ mensadhindi' etc.
Dramas were good, hats off to 'Mali Sannppanavar'.

Congratulations Basavaraj Patil and Anu Benakatti (looks like she has 10 hands and works simultaneously!)”
Attendee – Laxmi Hiremath, California comments:
“Thank you so much for recreating a ‘Mantapa’ for fellow Veerashaivas in the heart of Texas to meet, mingle and
enjoy! And enjoy we all did! It started with simple food on Thursday evening followed by colorful fireworks. We
got to hear visions from our very own youths, Neeta and Deepa. Swamijis insights, yoga and linga puje are always
welcome. Forums were informative and inspiring. An elegant dance performance ‘Dissolving in Divinity’ provided
a perfect ending!”
Attendee – Shiva Kumar Patil, New Jersey comments:
“We need to congratulate ALL of you once again - from the selection of the theme name 'Iva Nammava' you were
on a great track. Thank you all again for choosing great venue, awesome food, classy entertainment programs.
We enjoyed your Texas size hospitality and felt line coming Home once again. Basavaraj and Team - you all set
a new standard and I am sure the next team will try to take it even new heights.”
Attendee – Gadigeppa Doddamani, Michigan comments:
"Congratulations for the job well done. You proved your theme "Iva Nammava". It was an excellent convention with
venue, food and activities. Being a new chapter, your enthusiastic group is a great asset for VSNA.”

16

Attendee – Vijay Kumar Goud, New Jersey comments:
“Hearty congratulations for a very successful convention. All the programs were very well coordinated and food
was very delicious. Thanks for being flexible. Every member of the host were a pleasure to talk to. Hospitality
was extremely good.”
Attendee – Jagadeesh Halyal, Houston Texas comments:
“Hats off to all members of the committee from all departments. Great Work! Great Passion! Great Professional
Touch! Well Organized! Great Master Plan! And finally comes tough part Execution -- only two days to bundle all
hard work of more than 8 months and execute. Engine running at complete acceleration during these two days!
You all did awesome work, great show! We all enjoyed and carrying some good memories and good friends.
Thank you all for putting up this great show and providing a nearby opportunity for us to attend from Houston.”
Attendee – Prabhu Patil, Michigan comments:
“I attended many conventions and as a VSNA President ran 4 successful conventions. I would say this is one of
the top conventions we had to date. Key points:

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

Learnt Howdy?
Food was awesome.
Hotel and registration was smooth.
Programs were great.
Convention Team held together and supported each other as "Iva Nammava".

Congrats and duly recognize all the hard work, sacrifice and dedication.”
Attendee – Nagabhushan Malakla, California comments:
“Congratulations for hosting a memorable convention with active youth participation. Even though your first
convention with more than 500 attendees, it was well organized and amazing. Hospitality, venue, food, Linga
pooja and cultural programs were excellent. We enjoyed the occasion.
Thanks again to all committee members and volunteers for your dedicated work. Dallas chapter, you are
successful in bringing & binding more than 300 Veerashaiva of Texas together! An achievement indeed!!”
Attendees – Jyoti & Jagadish Biradar, Houston, Texas comments:
“We would like to start with congratulating the convention committee of 2014 one more time for a fantastic
convention. From the firsthand experience of attending a convention, we would like to share our suggestions and
observations based on what we observed and felt. Note: This is nothing to do with VSNA Convention Committee
who worked tirelessly and made this convention very successful and flawless. This is more to do with the format
of a VSNA convention as we believe that the format of the current convention was based on how it was done in
the past. Our suggestions/observations are closely associated to the below statement, which is part
of VSNA.org home page.
"The Central VSNA also organizes an annual convention where more than 500 members gather to
celebrate and learn the philosophy of Basava and other contemporary sharanas"
We did celebrate but felt missed/lost great opportunity to learn Philosophy / basics by highly learned and
recognized Poojya Swamijis. The information that we get online or in books is not reliable...”

Note from Editor: Biradar Family has provided number of areas for further improvements, which is encouraging.
These points are now being considered by the Central VSNA leadership for future implementation.

17

Successful BOR Endeavors
By Laxmi Hiremath, Chairman of the Board of Regents

The Board of Regents undertook some key projects. We had set realistic goals and metrics for success. We are
pleased to report that most have reached fruition within a span of the past year. Let me elaborate.
1. We now have a full-fledged Executive Youth Committee. We never had one in last 30 years.
2. So far there was no avenue to get Veerashaiva boys and girls born and raised in the US to meet other
than in the local chapter or at the VSNA convention. Matrimonial Service project is headed by Uma
Sajjan. We are happy to announce the website will be launched soon. We never had a VSNA
Matrimonial website in last 30 years.
3. We also worked on the monumental task of putting together the VSNA Directory list. Dada Patil along
with BOD members Yuvaraj Patil and Basavaraj Mudenur worked with chapter presidents in getting
together the updated address list. Then it was our tech expert, Mamatha Hirannaiah who spent an
enormous amount of time creating the excel format for all 1200 names in perfect order.
4. Youth Scholarship was also lead by Dada Patil. We received several applications. As always, the judging
was done by the youths.
5. Here is an immediate upcoming project by Dr. Nagabhushan which is helpful to the community at large.
First, he wants to set up a religious committee and appoint few members at every chapter level and
train them to perform birth, marriage and funeral as per the Veerashaiva rites. (Just to clarify we are not
rewriting any books. We are following only what is written and published in the past.) Local members
can receive help quickly in the community. We will seek help from the Swamijis in this matter.
Vision for Future
1. My team and I would like to work closely with BOD in connecting with VSNA Members at large. Central
VSNA has to connect with Life Members and all others. Send them information every now and then make
them feel as a family.
2. Secondly, we are a 30 year organization, we have less than half a million dollars in the bank. I said this
last year and I will say it again. BOD has to work with chapter presidents and set some goals in enrolling
life members.
3. My new project is to set up a Fundraising Committee along with BOD members.
4. VSNA gives awards each year, how many awardees have given back to the community? Central VSNA
should be able to go back to them and set some creative goals to raise funds.
VSNA Women on the Forefront
1. Our aim has been to encourage more women at all levels to change the dynamics.
2. We have created VSNA Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club on Facebook.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today presented DHAKE INDUSTRIES with the
President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. to which President Obama was invited.
The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to
the expansion of U.S. exports.

“Exporting continues to be the foundation of our sales growth, and we are honored to receive the “E” Award,”
said Mr. B.G. Dhake, Dhake Industries’ President and CEO. “When we first began exporting nearly 10 years
ago, export sales accounted for a very small percent of our total sales. During the past ten years however, export
sales have grown to 45 percent of our total sales, enabling us to sustain jobs and continue to expand our work
force, even though the economic downturn a few years ago.” “Dhake Industries has demonstrated a sustained
commitment to export expansion….
U.S. exports of goods and services hit an all-time record of $2.3 trillion in 2013. Nationally, jobs supported by
exports reached more than 11 million last year, up 1.6 million since 2009. Launched earlier this month, EI/Next,
a new phase of President Obama’s National Export Initiative, works to boost economic growth and support
additional American jobs by assisting more U.S. companies of all sizes in exporting to more markets across the
globe.
President Kennedy revived the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to
America's exporters. The “E” Award Program was established by Executive Order 10978 on December 5, 1961.
Four years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing
plan that led to the increase in exports is a significant factor in making the award.
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award for Exports through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. and
Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department’s International Trade Administration,
which has offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries to help U.S. exporters.

19

Local Chapter Updates
VSNA – New York – New Jersey Chapter
VSNA New Your chapter celebrated Basava Jayanthi on June 8, 2014.
Program videos may be viewed on You Tube.

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VSNA – North Carolina Chapter
The VSNA-NC chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary and the “Basava Jayanthi” on May 17, 2014 at Fred Bond
park in Cary, NC. The function was attended by the founding family members who enjoyed their time with the
current family members. The celebrations started with “Basava Jayanthi” pooja, with the vachana “Madinendu
manadalli” and its explanation by Dr. Jayaraj Kalmath. This was followed by enthusiastic recital of the aarti,
“Jnanpoornam jagajyothi” by all the attendees. Then Mr. Kubsad (visiting from Dharwad, Karnataka) briefly spoke
about the contributions of various “vachanakararu” to the vachana sahitya, especially the immense contributions
made by Dr. Prabhu Halkatti to the modern vachana sahitya.
Then Dr. Shivappa Palled, the President of the VSNA-NC chapter welcomed and introduced the founding family
members. The VSNA-NC chapter was established in June 1988 by Mr. Prakash Basavappa, who happens to be
the first president of the chapter as well. Recalling the good old days, Mr. Basavappa explained how he was
actively involved in initiating a common platform for bringing together our great cultural heritage. The chapter
was started with only 11 Veerashaiva families in the state. He was the youngest of all the members and got a
great support from all other families. He mentioned that even though NC chapter is smaller in size compared to
other VSNA chapters, the families are very closely knitted with great camaraderie. He along with his wife Mrs.
Nandini flew in from Boston especially for this occasion.
Another founding family Mrs. Malathi and Dr. Somshekhar Munavalli drove in from South Carolina for the
occasion. Dr. Munavalli recalled that Mrs. Shaila and Dr. Ashok Uppin’s was the first Veerashaiva family to move
into NC in 1967. The NC chapter has given two past VSNA presidents. He urged the current VSNA families to
work together to build a stronger VSNA leaving behind egoism and personal ambitions, underlining the
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importance of the need of a sense of belongingness and leaving a legacy for future generations. Dr. Munavalli
has also served as VSNA national president.
Mrs. Shaila Uppin briefly spoke on the occasion congratulating the members for the big achievement. She has
served as the National president of VSNA in 1991, had worked hard and was instrumental in organizing a
National convention in the south (1994 in Georgia) for the first time.
Dr. Shankar Bale, another founding family member stressed strongly on the need of a good scholarship program
for our children. He said that the scholarship will be helpful for kids in their college admissions. He shared his
experience as he had an opportunity to evaluate the graduate school applications through Army program.
Mr. Nagaraj Santhe, another founding family member was instrumental in instituting scholarship program for our
children who graduated from high school. He has been working hard in getting the certificates and plaques for
high school graduates every year. In his brief speech, he stressed on the importance of teaching our children
their identity and he stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;without our children, there will not be any VSNA, and we get back what we put in
our organizationâ&#x20AC;?.
After brief speeches by founding family members, Mrs. Ashwini Koratagere made a power point presentation on
the growth of VSNA-NC chapter over the past 25 years. This was followed by a memento presentation by current
family members to the founding family members. Then Mr. Kiran Hawaldar talked about a future road map for
VSNA-NC chapter, highlighting the importance of having a permanent infrastructure which can serve as a
platform for all social and cultural activities of the organization. Then a cake was cut by all the founding family
members. During the event various cultural activities such as violin / tabla playing, vachana recitation,
Bharatanatyam, devotional songs etc, were presented by several children. Some new family members who have
moved into the area were introduced. All participants enjoyed a great lunch and a great interaction with the
founding family members who shared their experiences in bringing our great organization to a strong platform
where it stands today.

At the end, there was an open forum and discussion led by Mr. Nandeesh Kaggere and Mr. Veeranna Chinnappa,
in which all members unanimously agreed that we need to encourage more participation from our children,
structure things even better and 25 years from now, ours should be the greatest organization in the country
where we all have a feeling of belongingness.
Finally, the current president Dr. Palled recognized and thanked all the volunteers for their hard work in making
this celebration a great success.
Submitted by: Dr. Mallinath Hadimani, VSNA - NC Chapter Member
Forwarded by: Dr. Shivappa Palled, President, VSNA-NC Chapter.
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VSNA – Chicago Chapter
VSNA Chicago chapter conducted 2 major programs during the 2nd quarter of 2014 – Allama Prabhu Jayanthi
on April 12, 2014 and Basava Jayanthi on May 18, 2014. Basava Jayanthi was conducted in coordination with
Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Lemont, Illinois. On June 28th chapter members performed “Shrama Dasoha”
through “Feed My Starving Children - http://www.fmsc.org/ “, a non-profit organization.

VSNA – Chicago Chapter kids performed Ling puja
under guidance from Srishail Hadimani, during Allama
Prabhu Jayanthi. See link for more highlights of the
program.

VSNA Chicago chapter is pleased to announce the
newest and youngest member, “Shiyara”, born on
March 29th to Smita and Sudhir Sakhuja, very active
members of the chapter. Chicago chapter
congratulates the parents and grandparents - Rathna
and Mallikarjun Nalawadi.

The chapter members also paid their last respects to Mr. Sadanand Desai, life-member of VSNA and father of
Dr. Sunil Desai, active member of local chapter and life-member of VSNA.
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VSNA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Detroit Chapter
On May 10, our chapter celebrated Basava Jayanthi during an excellent evening of performances and singing
of vachanas. We also hosted a guest speaker from India, Mr. Viraj Kulkarni, who gave a talk on Indian
investments, which was both intriguing and practical. The youth members also celebrated Mother's Day at the
conclusion of the event.
On May 20, our chapter had to face the loss of Mrs. Indirani Pallegar, who at the age of 64 passed away after
suffering from bone cancer. For more than 35 years, the Pallegars have been involved in VSNA activities, and
the Detroit chapter sorely misses a good friend in Mrs. Pallegar. She is survived by her husband, Jaykumar
Pallegar, her two sons Rohit and Vinay, her daughter Deepali with son-in-law Fransisco, and grandson Nikhil.
We pray for her soul to rest in peace.
On May 28, our chapter celebrated as Bhimshankar and Sapna Dhake's company 'Dhake Industries' was
bestowed with the prestigious Presidential "E" Award, presented by the US Secretary of Commerce in the
presence of President Obama at a White House ceremony. We congratulate the Dhake Family for acting as an
inspiration to our members.
On June 28, our youth president, Aashika Sulabelle, organized a community event at Gleaners Food Bank where
both adults and youth members participated to organize food for distribution to the needy.

More photos for the Basava Jayanthi and Gleaners events can be found here: http://imgur.com/a/5ZnzY
Congratulations to our 2014 graduates:
High school graduates:
College graduates:
Medical school graduates:
MBA graduates:

VSNA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Texas - South Chapter
The second successful Basaveshwara Jayanthi in Houston was celebrated at Saraswati Assembly Hall,
Meenakshi Mandir on 5/3/2014 by VSNA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Houston Chapter with great fanfare. The Chief Guest of the function
was Poojya Rupaka Akka from Basava Divine Center of Austin. The program started with Pooja of Guru
Basavanna and was followed by jogula songs and pushpavrusti. Members joined Rupaka Akka in the Ishtalinga
Pooja which is a simple and powerful path given by Guru Basavanna to connect to God directly.

After Prasada and Dasoha, the members were blessed by an enlightening discourse by Rupaka Akka which
explained the path of Guru Basavanna, the importance and power of Ishtalinga, the importance of prayer and
the principles of Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct) and Anubhava (divine experience). Members
had a lot of insightful questions which were promptly answered by Rupaka Akka. She complimented the chapter
for their current activities and suggested to continue the good work. She was felicitated by chapter president
Jagadeesh Hayal.
Children recited Vachanas and narrated stories related to Sharanas. The stories and vachanas were on Sharana
Siddrameshwar by Anushree, Madivala Machidevaru by Shailesh, Allama Prabudevaru by Puneeth, Akka
Mahadevi by Khushi, ChennaBasavanna by Shreyas and Guru Basavanna by Aditya. Khushal was very
melodious in vachana recital. This was followed by enthralling violin performances by Puneeth and Shreyas.
Veeresha Javli and Jyoti Biradar addressed the members on principles of Guru Basavanna and the monthly
Mahamane activities of the chapter. Prizes for kids were distributed by Poojya Rupaka Akka. Mementoes were
distributed to the members of the chapter by Jagadeesh Halyal. The management members of Meenakshi
Temple were thanked and felicitated by Houston Chapter for the wonderful venue and all facilities for the
celebration. The event concluded with vote of thanks by Mukta Satewar. The VSNA Houston Chapter committee
(Jagadeesh Halyal, Chandru Hugar, Akshay Basavaraju, Apoorva Swaroop, Mukta Satewar and
Siddarameshwar Bagali) have expressed thanks and appreciation to Meenakshi temple and its management, all
volunteers of VSNA, members of VSNA and friends of members for attending the event and making it a grand
success.

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Obituary

Late Mr. Sadanand Desai

Mr. Sadanand Desai, VSNA founding life member attained lingyaikya on Thursday, June, 19, 2014, at the age
of 82 years. Mr. Desai served as VSNA BOR Chair and was active member of multiple local chapters - New
York, North Carolina and Virginia & DC. Mr. Desai is survived by his wife Sarojini and three sons including Dr.
Sunil Desai of Chicago Chapter.
Mr. Desai was born in Kakati, Belgaum District, Karnataka State, India. He was a graduate from B. V.
Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering, Hubli and held MS degree in structural engineering from an US university.
Mr. Desai worked as structural engineer at Bechtel.
Our Heartfelt Sympathies and sincere condolences to Sri. Desai's family.

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Late Mrs. Indirani Pallegar

Mrs. Indirani Pallegar attained lingyaikya on May 20th 2014 at the age of 64. Mrs. Pallegar was a very active
senior member from VSNA Detroit Chapter. For more than 35 years, the Pallegars have been involved in VSNA
activities. She is survived by her husband, Jaykumar Pallegar, her two sons Rohit and Vinay, her daughter
Deepali with son-in-law Francisco, and grandson Nikhil.
We pray for her soul to rest in peace.